Memorial Day's Meaning
MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) While you're sunbathing at the beach, barbecuing in the backyard or just enjoying the three-day weekend, remember the reason for the holiday.
Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service.
In observance of the holiday, many people visit cemeteries and memorials, and volunteers often place American flags on each grave site at national cemeteries.
So let us set aside our differences and thank our troops and veterans for keeping our country safe and free.
Below is a list of a few local events you can partake in:
The William F. Green State Veterans Home will hold its annual
Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. at 300 Faulkner Drive in Bay Minette. The
keynote speaker of the event will be retired U.S. Army Col. Patrick Downing. In honor of the deceased veterans, there will
be a tolling of the bells along with a white rose ceremony.
Satsuma will honor our veterans at 9 a.m. at City Hall.
Special recognition will be given to the Coast Guardsmen who lost their lives
in a helicopter crash and to Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Brown who gave the
ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan.
Chapters 701 and 864 of the Vietnam Veterans will conduct a
flag lowering ceremony at 6 a.m. at the Lower Alabama Vietnam Veterans Memorial
at Battleship Park.
The Baldwin County Legion Riders will ride down 59 from
Loxley to Gulf Shores starting at 8 a.m. The ride will start at Love's Truck
Stop and will end at Miller Memorial Cemetery where a flag line will be held.